U.S. patent application number 10/396619 was filed with the patent office on 2004-10-14 for plow blade with water passageway.
Invention is credited to Hoelting, Keith A., Kenkel, Brian N., Reeves, James V..
Application Number | 20040200627 10/396619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33130396 |
Filed Date | 2004-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040200627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoelting, Keith A. ; et
al. |
October 14, 2004 |
Plow blade with water passageway
Abstract
A plow blade having a fluid passageway and points of fluid
ejection is produced with basic manufacturing processes allowing
for efficient production. The blade construction has a multiple
component assembly for providing the ability to rebuild a blade and
replacing a portion of the blade that may be worn. In another
aspect of the invention a process of ejecting a specific fluid at
specific points along a plow blade the desirable characteristics
are maximized, while the volume of ejected fluid is minimized. This
method is adaptable in static plowing and vibratory plowing
utilities since lubricating the sides of the blade/chute that come
into contact with the ground with fluid has been found to greatly
reduce the amount of drag (friction).
Inventors: |
Hoelting, Keith A.;
(Allerton, IA) ; Reeves, James V.; (Leighton,
IA) ; Kenkel, Brian N.; (Montezuma, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STURM & FIX LLP
206 SIXTH AVENUE
SUITE 1213
DES MOINES
IA
50309-4076
US
|
Family ID: |
33130396 |
Appl. No.: |
10/396619 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
172/701.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 5/102 20130101;
E02F 5/101 20130101; E02F 3/80 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
172/701.3 |
International
Class: |
E02F 003/80 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A leading edge section for a plow comprising: (a) a front edge;
and (b) a side opposite the front edge including a sealing surface
and fluid passage void.
2. A plow for use in installing utilities in the ground comprising;
(a) a leading edge section comprising: i) a front edge; and ii) a
side opposite the front edge including a sealing surface and fluid
passage void. (b) a blade comprising a front surface, a top end and
a bottom end; (c) wherein a fluid passage is defined by the fluid
passage void of the leading edge section and the front surface of
the blade when the leading edge is secured to the front surface of
the blade.
3. The plow of claim 2 further comprising a fluid tube that extends
into the fluid passage.
4. The plow of claim 3 wherein the fluid tube extends into the
fluid passage to near the bottom end of the blade.
5. The plow of claim 2 wherein the leading edge section is secured
to the blade with stitch welds with a gap between the sealing
surface of the leading edge and the front edge of the blade.
6. A plow for use in installing utility lines in the ground
comprising; (a) a leading edge section comprising: i) a front edge;
and ii) a surface opposite the front edge including a sealing
surface and fluid passage void. (b) a blade comprising a front
surface, a top end and a bottom end; (c) a manifold comprising a
front surface and a rear surface with apertures passing from the
front surface to the rear surface; (d) wherein a fluid passage is
defined by the fluid passage void of the leading edge section and
the front surface of the manifold when the leading edge section is
secured to the front surface of the manifold such that the terminal
end of the apertures at the front side of the manifold align with
the fluid passage void of the leading edge sections.
7. A plow for use in installing utility lines into the ground
comprising: a) a blade having a top, a bottom, a one side and an
another side, a front and a rear; b) a chute disposed behind the
blade near the rear edge thereof, the chute having a top portion
and a bottom portion and at least one channel between the top
portion and the bottom portion thereof for receiving at least one
utility line in the top portion above ground and a bottom portion
below ground; c) an earth engaging leading edge section operatively
disposed in front of the blade for cutting through the ground as
the blade is forced through the ground; d) the rear edge of the
leading edge section having a longitudinally disposed groove
therein; e) a sealing surface disposed on each side of the
longitudinally disposed groove; f) wherein the sealing surface is
operatively attached to at least a portion of the front portion of
the blade whereby a passageway is formed between the rear edge of
the leading edge section and the front of the blade; and g) at
least one outlet leading from the passageway to a place adjacent
the bottom of the blade and leading edge whereby fluid in the
passageway will lubricate the leading edge section and blade as
leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
8. The plow of claim 7 wherein the passageway of the plow is sealed
on the edges thereof by a weld between the leading edge section and
the front of the blade.
9. The plow of claim 7 wherein the passageway of the plow is sealed
by a tube disposed in at least a portion of the groove.
10. The plow of claim 7 wherein the passageway is connected to a
source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will flow to
said at least one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and
blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
11. The plow of claim 8 wherein the passageway is connected to a
source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will flow to
said at least one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and
blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
12. The plow of claim 9 wherein the passageway is connected to a
source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will flow to
said at least one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and
blade as leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
13. The plow of claim 7 including a plurality of other outlets
fluidly connected to said passageway are disposed between the blade
and the leading edge section.
14. The plow of claim 13 wherein said other outlets are disposed in
spaced relationship to each other between the top and bottom of the
blade.
15. The plow of claim 13 wherein some of the other outlets are on
said one side of the blade and others of the other outlets are on
said another side of the blade.
16. A plow for use in installing utility lines into the ground
comprising: a) a blade having a top, a bottom, a one side and an
another side, a front and a rear; b) a chute disposed behind the
blade near the rear edge thereof, the chute having a top portion
and a bottom portion and at least one channel between the top
portion and the bottom portion thereof for receiving at least one
utility line in the top portion above ground and a bottom portion
below ground; c) an earth engaging leading edge section operatively
disposed in front of the blade for cutting through the ground as
the blade is forced through the ground; d) the front of the blade
having a longitudinally disposed groove therein; e) a sealing
surface disposed on each side of the longitudinally disposed
groove; f) wherein the sealing surface is operatively attached to
at least a front of the blade whereby a passageway is formed
between the rear edge of the leading edge section and the front of
the blade; and g) at least one outlet leading from the passageway
to a place adjacent the bottom of the blade and leading edge
section whereby fluid in the passageway will lubricate the leading
edge section and blade as leading edge and blade pass through the
ground.
17. A plow for use in installing utility lines into the ground
comprising: a) a blade having a top, a bottom, a one side and an
another side, a front and a rear; b) a chute disposed behind the
blade near the rear edge thereof, the chute having a top portion
and a bottom portion and at least one channel between the top
portion and the bottom portion thereof for receiving at least one
utility line in the top portion above ground and a bottom portion
below ground; c) an earth engaging leading edge section operatively
disposed in front of the blade for cutting through the ground as
the blade is forced through the ground; d) the rear edge of the
leading edge section having a longitudinally disposed groove
therein; e) a sealing surface disposed on each side of the
longitudinally disposed groove; f) wherein the sealing surface is
operatively attached to at least a portion of the front portion of
the blade whereby a passageway is formed between the rear edge of
the leading edge section and the front of the blade; and g) at
least one outlet leading from the passageway to a place adjacent
the bottom of the blade and leading edge whereby fluid in the
passageway will lubricate the leading edge section and blade as
leading edge and blade pass through the ground. h) a passage
extending between the blade and the chute, said passage being
fluidly connected to said passageway.
18. The plow of claim 17 wherein the passage is fluidly connected
to a source of liquid above the ground, whereby the liquid will
flow through said passage to said passageway and to said at least
one outlet to lubricate the leading edge section and blade as
leading edge and blade pass through the ground.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Many types of services are delivered to homes through
conduits installed in relatively shallow underground trenches.
These include telephone, television, natural gas, electricity, and
drainage. These utilities are often installed with a plow. FIG. 1
illustrates an example installation of a utility 20 with a prior
art plowing process. A plow 30 is attached to a prime mover,
typically a tractor 10. The tractor 10 propels the plow through the
ground. The plow 10 is relatively narrow and will split the ground
open with a sharpened steel blade. The utility line 20 is
introduced into the ground through a chute 40 that is attached to
and directly behind the blade. The chute 40 holds the ground open
as the utility line 20 is being fed into the desired vertical
position and places the utility line 20 into a horizontal position
at the desired depth under ground.
[0002] An alternate configuration is illustrated in FIG. 2 where
the utility line 20 is laid out on the ground behind its intended
position and then the plow 30 is connected to one end. The plow is
then pulled through the ground in order to pull the utility line 20
into the correct position. In this configuration there is no
chute.
[0003] Depending on the desired depth, size of utility line, and
the ground (soil) conditions (clay, sand, loam, etc.). This process
may be slow and require a large amount of power from the tractor 10
to pull the blade/chute through the ground. To reduce this loading
various efforts have been made to inject liquid to the plow and to
the utility being installed to wet the ground.
[0004] In some past designs the liquid was water, ejected in the
direction of travel of the plow blade, and at the edge of the plow
blade, utilizing the water to assist in the cutting action required
to slice the ground.
[0005] In other designs, useful for applications as illustrated in
FIG. 2, the liquid has been water directed to the area around the
utility line being pulled through the ground to lubricate and
reduce the frictional drag.
[0006] In still other designs water has been directed through long
holes 36 drilled into the blade 34 of the plow 30. Additional
cross-drilled holes threaded to accept cooperating nozzles 38 are
drilled near front edge 32, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Water
was then pumped into inlet fitting 37 to route water to the sides
of the plow. This design has proven successful as the lubrication
provided by the water significantly reduces the power necessary to
pull the plow. However this requires complicated manufacturing
processes, with the result that a wear item, the blade, becomes a
relatively expensive component. There exists a need for a blade to
provide this water distribution in a manner that is less expensive
to initially manufacture and to maintain.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a novel design for a plow
blade which provides a fluid passage and points of fluid ejection
which is produced with basic manufacturing processes allowing
efficient production.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a blade
construction including a multiple component assembly. This provides
the ability to rebuild a blade, replacing a portion of the blade
that may be worn.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention a process of
ejecting a specific fluid at specific points along a plow blade the
desirable characteristics are maximized, while the volume of
ejected fluid is minimized. This method is adaptable in static
plowing and vibratory plowing utilities. Lubricating the sides of
the blade/chute that come into contact with the ground with fluid
has been found to greatly reduce the amount of drag (friction).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art tractor propelling a
plow through the ground and installing a utility line that is being
ejected through a chute attached to the plow;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of a prior art tractor propelling a
plow through the ground and installing a utility that is being
pulled through the ground and attached to the plow;
[0012] FIG. 3 is side view of a prior art plow;
[0013] FIG. 4 is cross section of the prior art plow taken along
line 4-4 as illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of a plow
constructed in a manner of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a portion of another
embodiment of the plow of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along plane 7-7 as
illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a front edge section;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a portion of still another
embodiment of the plow of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross-section taken along plane 10-10 as
illustrated in FIG. 9;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of a
plow constructed in a manner of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 11A is an enlarged view of the part marked 11A in FIG.
11;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken along plane 12-12 as
illustrated in FIG. 11;
[0023] FIG. 13 is cross-section taken along plane 13-13 as
illustrated in FIG. 11;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-section taken along plane 13-13
as illustrated in FIG. 11: and
[0025] FIG. 15 is a view like FIG. 7 but showing an alternate
embodiment with the void or channel formed in the blade instead of
in the back of the front edge section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several
views. The included drawings reflect the current preferred and
alternate embodiments. There are many additional embodiments that
may utilize the present invention. The drawings are not meant to
include all such possible embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a plow 100 constructed according to the
principles of the present invention. Plow 100 consists of blade
110, leading edge sections 120, point 130 and a fluid tube 140.
Chute 40 is attached to the rear edge 114 of blade 110, and is
constructed to receive and guide utility line 20 from above the
ground to the desired depth where it is oriented generally parallel
to the ground surface. In other embodiments, the chute may be
replaced by a puller adapted to hold a utility line that is being
pulled through the ground, similar to the arrangement shown in FIG.
2.
[0028] The blade 110 further includes a front edge 112, a top end
116 and a bottom end 118. The top end 116 includes apertures 117
which will serve as attachment points, to adapt to a power unit.
Many different types of power units can be used in conjunction with
the preset invention.
[0029] The bottom end 118 is adapted to support a variety of points
130. The type of point to be installed may be dependent upon the
soil conditions of a particular job.
[0030] A component of the present invention is the manner in which
the components are assembled to form flow paths for fluid to exit
the blade at controlled locations and with a controlled flow rate.
The flow paths of this first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are
defined when the front edge 120 is attached to the blade 110. FIG.
8 illustrates a void 124 in surface 122 of leading edge section
120. Fluid tube 140 is adapted to travel in void 124 to transfer
pressurized fluid from the top of plow 100 into the void 124, and
may be sealed with weld 152 illustrated in FIG. 6. Other forms of
sealing the connection between the tube 140 and the front edge
sections 120 are possible, but are not illustrated herein as they
are not a critical element of the present invention. Tube 140 has a
top end 144 and a bottom end 146 and may extend into void 124 for
any desired distance, as will be explained later.
[0031] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 the leading edge sections
are attached to blade 110 with stitch welds 150. Flow paths are
defined by providing a small gap 154 between the front surface 112
of the blade and the rear surface 122. The spaces between the
stitch welds 150 results a flow path for the pressurized fluid,
allowing fluid to pass from the void 124, through the gap 154
between surfaces 122 and 112, and out between the stitch welds 150.
In this manner, the location and length of the stitch welds 150
defines the location at which the fluid will exit the blade 110.
The gap 154 (FIG. 7) between the surfaces 112 and 122 combined with
the total amount of weld gap will define the volume at which the
fluid will be ejected from the blade 110 at a certain fluid
pressure.
[0032] FIG. 15 shows an alternate arrangement of the FIG. 7
structure, having the void or groove 224 formed in the front of the
blade instead of having the void or groove 124 formed in the back
of the leading edge section as shown in FIG. 7.
[0033] The fluid pressure at a certain point along the blade's
length will vary. If the tube 140 terminates at the top of blade
110, the fluid pressure will be highest at that point and will
decrease at points closer to the bottom. This is not ideal as there
tends to be more resistance from the soils near the bottom of the
blade, which requires the highest fluid pressure near that area.
This is due to the types of soils typically encountered at lower
depths. The surface soils typically include some percentage of
organic matter, and higher percentage of air pockets: it is
typically less dense. The soils encountered at points deeper can
include the more difficult soils including clay. Thus there is an
area, illustrated in FIG. 5, as a critical high friction area. This
is the area in which the fluid is most critical. In order to assure
that the fluid is ejected most aggressively in this area tube 140
can be extended so that it terminates at a position towards the
bottom of this critical high friction area, the tube end 146 is
located near the bottom end 118 of the blade 110. The fluid
pressure in void 124 will be highest at the point the tube
terminates. In this manner the volume of fluid at this point can be
maximized.
[0034] In addition to varying the length of tube 140, the number of
leading edge sections 120 that are welded onto blade 110 can
be-varied to match the requirements of a specific job, including
specific installation depths. The number of and location of the
stitch welds can also be adjusted to tailor a plow 100 for a
specific application. In this manner it is possible to provide a
nearly infinite variety of configurations in an economic
manner.
[0035] Another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this
configuration a manifold 160 is installed in between the blade 110
and the leading edge sections 120. The manifold includes drilled
holes 166 extending from a front side 164 to a rear side 162, as
illustrated in FIG. 10. The drilled holes 166 intersect at the
middle, and when the leading edges 120 are installed onto the front
side 164 the drilled holes 166 will terminate at the void 124 in
the leading edge 120. In this manner a flow path is defined by the
void 124 and the holes 166 which will allow fluid to be routed from
tube 140 to nozzles 168 that are installed at the rear side 162 of
the manifold 160.
[0036] In this embodiment varying the nozzles 168 utilized in the
assembly allows control of the flow rates and location of the fluid
injection. The nozzles 168 can be replaced by plugs (not shown) if
there are areas where fluid is not required, and the size of the
nozzles 168can be varied if the there are areas where extra flow is
required. It provides a plow that can be modified using hand tools,
without welding.
[0037] Still another preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS.
11, 11A, 12 and 13. In this embodiment the fluid tube 140 has been
located on the opposite side of blade 110, the rear side 114. As
can be seen in FIG. 12 the fluid tube is located between the blade
110 and the chute 40. In this configuration it is protected by
plates 42. The fluid tube includes an inlet fitting 142 at the top
and travels to the bottom end 118 of blade 110 where it terminates
at tube end 146. The cross hatched portion shown in FIG. 11A
represents a weld.
[0038] Tube end 146 is adapted to attach to a bottom end section
126, as illustrated in FIG. 13. Bottom end section 126 includes
void 128 in the top side 127 as illustrated in FIG. 14. Tube 140
includes a bend that allows it to enter into void. The tube 140 is
then sealed by welding it to the bottom end section 126 and the
blade 110 with weld 156 such that the fluid is forced into void
128. The bottom end section 126 is also welded to the blade 110 at
the locations where it contacts the blade 110, thus sealing the
void 128.
[0039] Void 128 intersects void 124 at the bottom-front corner of
blade 110. At this point the fluid is transferred to void 124 and
will flow along the front edge 112 of blade 110. As described for
the previous two embodiments, the fluid can then be allowed to
travel to the edge of the blade and out to the soil either through
a gap and spaces between stitch welds 150, or through a manifold
160 between the front edge sections 120 and the blade 110. FIGS. 11
and 12 illustrate the use of the stitch welds 150 and gaps 151
between stitch welds 150. However, the manifold 160 would work
equally well.
[0040] All the previously described embodiments provide a plow that
can be tailored to provide fluid injection characteristics to match
specific job requirements. The components are all manufactured with
traditional manufacturing processes. The flow paths are defined by
stacking together leading edge sections with flow voids, and
welding or otherwise attaching them to a blade. This configuration
provides appropriate function and provides an easily tailored
configuration.
[0041] Obviously many modifications and variations of the present
invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is
therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described.
* * * * *